The most haunted month of the year is here – and if you want to embrace the spirit of the season, finding out the best Halloween events around Nottingham is an excellent idea.
I have curated a mixture of these, such as family-friendly activities, food and drink, and music. These have been narrowed down based on their originality, the quality of their offering, and their value for money.
If October is one of your favourite months of the year, this guide has plenty of autumn tricks and treats to add to your calendar. For more guides like this, subscribe to receive our articles in your inbox for free.
8 of the best Halloween events around Nottingham
By Eve Smallman
1. Spooktacular Sundown
When: October 17-November 1
Where: Sundown Adventureland, Retford
How much: Included in admission – from £20.95pp, children under 90cm free
Head down to this family-friendly park to see it transformed into a playful world, complete with giant spiders, hundreds of pumpkins, colourful bunting, and a creepy carnival. The Scream Team Monster Hunt also invites families to follow a trail of clues for a tasty Halloween treat, whether or not they complete the full trail. Plus, the Four Seasons Area is hosting face painting throughout the day, alongside dancing and games at selected times.
Do if: You have especially younger children that you’d like to introduce Halloween magic to.
2. Halloween in Concert
When: October 18
Where: Theatre Royal, Nottingham
How much: From £31.50pp
With stunning visuals and state-of-the-art production, this brand-new concert spectacular is set to bring a thrilling crescendo of all things Halloween. Featuring Monster Mash, Highway to Hell, The Time Warp, Running Up That Hill, Hungry Like the Wolf, Thriller, and more, expect big vocals, killer moves, and maybe even some Dancing in the Moonlight. Just be sure to arrive dressed to impress, as there’s a prize for the best costume.
Do if: Music is your favourite way to get into party mode.
3. Murder Mystery Evening
When: October 23
Where: Norwood Park, Southwell
How much: From £56.50pp
Take part in a fully immersive dining experience at Norwood Park for an evening of deadly intrigue. Step into the shadowy world of the DeRussi Coven, with ambitious mortals and vampires. Will you survive the night, or become its next victim? Extend your evening and make the most of your visit with an overnight stay in one of the park’s charming house bedrooms. Fancy dress to match the event’s vampire theme is encouraged, but optional. Plus, a welcome drink and three-course dinner is included.
Do if: You’d enjoy celebrating the spooky season in a stylish, grown-up way.
4. Halloween Outdoor Cinema
When: October 23-25
Where: Wollaton Hall, Nottingham
How much: From £17.37pp
Wollaton Hall is a hauntingly beautiful venue that’s the perfect backdrop for Halloween cinema. This is hosting three films over three days – Scream (October 23), Hocus Pocus Spooktactular (October 24), and The Nightmare Before Christmas (October 25). Bring your own spooky snacks (strawberry laces and chocolate pumpkins, perhaps?), or pick up hot food and drink on-site. Don’t forget your blanket for staying warm/hiding under. These are all close to selling out at the time of writing, so be sure to be quick in snapping them up.
Do if: You’ve been thinking about having a Halloween cinema night – Adventure Cinema’s offering is an easy way to do that without needing to host.
5. Halloween Afternoon Tea
When: October 26-31
Where: Hart’s Hotel and Kitchen, Nottingham
How much: From £25.95pp
Why have tricks when you can have treats? At the elegant Hart’s - one of our top staycation spots in Notts – you can enjoy bites from the iced manchet and coffin brownie to a meringue ghost and haunted mini Bakewell tart, all made by the Hambledon Bakery. As well as these, there will be the classic array of finger sandwiches and freshly baked fruit scones. For an extra treat, upgrade to a glass of prosecco (extra £10pp) or champagne (extra £14pp).
Do if: You’re looking for a chic way to celebrate Halloween.
6. Nottingham Halloween Parade
When: October 28
Where: Starts and finishes at Nottingham Central Library
How much: Free entry
During this new Halloween parade, you can follow a troupe of ghosts, draped in illuminated and flowing capes, to pursue the Ghost Rider. This will take place three times on the day – at 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm. To get prepared for this, Nottingham Central Library will be hosting creepy craft sessions from 3-5pm on Tuesday and all day Wednesday. For more fun in the city, from October 26-31, It’s in Nottingham is also bringing inflatable monsters over rooftops, such as Cleaver and Wake and Bridlesmith Gate.
Do if: You’re planning a half-term trip into town and are looking for something seasonal to do with the family.
7. Halloween Workshop
When: October 30-31
Where: The Sacred Ape Distillery, Sneinton
How much: £58pp
Can your bespoke rum break the curse of the black still? Find out at The Sacred Ape, which is hosting a fully immersive experience across selected dates. Create and distill your own rum, making use of its halloween-inspired botanicals in the terrifying transformed studio, as well as tasting four brand new and exclusive, pre-release Sacred Ape rums. We did the regular version of this rum making and loved it, so we can only imagine how fabulous this version will be.
Do if: You fancy going out for drinks on Halloween – making your own is even better.
8. Nottingham Samhain Pagan Market
When: October 31
Where: Sneinton Market
How much: Free entry
Take Halloween back to its Celtic origins of Samhain, which marks the shift from summer to the dark winter, by exploring over 100 craft, food, and drink traders. These include artists, makers, card readers, and purveyors of vintage goods, all with an emphasis on the unique, unusual, and occult. There will also be ritual and fire shows, live music, and even a dark version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. And, of course, costumes and Goth or Pagan garb are very much encouraged.
Do if: You’re looking for something special to do on Halloween itself – the market doesn’t normally fall on this day, making it special indeed.
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